TORONTO — Tyrese Haliburton, a two-time All-Star, expressed his disappointment with the Indiana Pacers’ performance this season after their recent loss to the Toronto Raptors, which ended with a score of 122-111 in an NBA Cup game. Haliburton did not hold back, stating, “The product we’re putting on the floor right now as a group is embarrassing.”

The Pacers currently hold a road record of 2-10, having suffered seven consecutive defeats away from home since their last victory against Dallas on November 4. Haliburton emphasized the urgency of the situation, saying, “There needs to be a reality check right now. Individually and collectively, guys need to look at themselves in the mirror and ask themselves what they can do better. And it starts with me. I have to be a better leader.”

Last season, the Pacers enjoyed a successful run, finishing with a record of 47-35 and securing a playoff spot for the first time since 2020. They made significant progress by winning playoff series against Milwaukee and New York, although they were ultimately swept by Boston in the Eastern Conference finals.

In contrast, their performance in the NBA’s first In-Season Tournament was disappointing; after making a run to the championship game last season, the Pacers finished this year’s tournament without a victory, losing all four group games by a cumulative total of 60 points.

During the match against Toronto, the Pacers struggled significantly, particularly in the first half where they committed 17 turnovers. Head coach Rick Carlisle acknowledged the team’s shortcomings, stating, “We’ve had too many stretches like that. We all own it, and we need to fix it.”

Although Indiana outperformed Toronto in the second half, scoring 63-57, it wasn’t sufficient to turn the game’s outcome in their favor. Following their defeat, the Pacers stood in 10th place in the Eastern Conference, barely ahead of Detroit by half a game. They will have an opportunity to end their road losing streak when they face the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night.